Investigating zirconium flows and stocks in China: A dynamic material flow analysis

Abstract

Zirconium (Zr) is one important scarce metal and has been widely used in both civil and emerging industries. Its supply-demand balance and material flows are crucial to the development of China's green economy. However, no studies focus on Zr resource use in China, a major consumer of this resource. This study traces the anthropogenic cycle of zirconium by accounting Zr flows and stocks in the production, processing, consumption, and disposal stages in China from 2005 to 2020. The results of this study show: (1) China is the largest Zr consumer in the world and has been a net Zr importer from a life cycle perspective; (2) China's domestic in-use Zr stock increased rapidly, reaching 249.49 Gg in 2020, about 3.5 times the amount of 2005; (3) ceramic sector consumed 717.12 kilotons (Kt) of Zr (42% of the total yearly Zr consumption) in 2020, while this figure was 94.29 Kt (56% of the total yearly Zr consumption) in 2005. Zr consumption in the chemical sector increased from 12.26 Kt in 2005 to 157.77 Kt in 2020, with an annual growth rate of 9%; (4) The total recycled Zr reached only accounting for 7% of the total cumulative Zr supply. These results suggest that China should not only explore zirconium mines domestically, but also seek high-grade zirconium ores in other countries. In addition, policies are proposed to promote Zr recycling and efficient utilization from the perspective of trade, technological development and economic feasibility.